File:Diatom - Pseudo-nitzschia.jpg

Pseudo-nitzschia

Pseudo-nitzschia is a pennate diatom of global importance due to its production of the neurotoxin domoic acid that can cause Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning and Domoic Acid Poisoning. It has been recorded from nearly every major marine and estuarine environment and domoic acid has been found in the tissue or faeces of organisms in multiple trophic levels in the oceans. Studies show that blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. are increasing in frequency and duration due to changes in coastal nutrients (Anderson et al. 2002, Dortch et al. 1997, Parsons et al. 2002). It is often found in areas of upwelling or nutrient enrichment.

The genus can be recognized by its characteristic "step-chain" formation. Approximately 12 Pseudo-nitzschia species are documented domoic acid producers.

Photographer and text: Thessen, Anne

http://diatoms.lifedesks.org/image/view/4/_original

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